By Alex Thorne | Odor Control and Wellness Specialist
Why Ingredients Matter for Real Freshness
Most “air fresheners” perfume the air and call it a day. The odor molecules—often volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—remain. The U.S. EPA notes that VOCs can concentrate indoors, so a product that actually reduces them is the smarter route. Modest & Co. sprays are built for that outcome: fewer lingering molecules, a cleaner baseline, and a fresher-feeling home.
The Building Blocks of a Modest Spray
While exact percentages are proprietary, our sprays follow a simple, science-first architecture designed for everyday homes and pet families:
1) Enzymes: The Source-Fixers
Enzymes are proteins that speed up specific reactions. In odor care, they help break complex soils and odorants into simpler, low-odor byproducts (think water + CO2). If you’ve ever seen how enzyme laundry detergents lift tough stains, it’s the same big idea—applied to “airborne” problems. (Background on how enzymes work: NIH/NCBI – StatPearls.)
- What this means for you: fewer rebounds. Neutralize the source and the smell doesn’t “wake back up” later.
2) Formula Stabilizers: Keeping Performance Consistent
Enzymes prefer certain conditions. That’s why formulas typically include stabilizing components (like buffers and pH balancers) that help keep performance steady from first spray to last. We don’t overload with extras; we support the enzyme system so it can do the job reliably across different rooms, temperatures, and storage times.
- What this means for you: consistent results—no “great the first week, meh the next.”
3) Clean Scent Carriers: A Soft Finish, Not a Perfume Cloud
Some households are fragrance-sensitive, and many pets are, too. Research suggests a meaningful minority of adults react to fragrance ingredients (Contact Dermatitis, 2021). Our design philosophy aims for a light, clean finish—supporting the neutralization story instead of trying to out-perfume it.
- What this means for you: your space smells like less, not “more.” Subtle scent, no headache-inducing cloud.
How It Works in Everyday Life
Pet mess on carpet
Masking: smells okay for an hour, then returns with humidity.
Neutralizing: enzymes reduce the actual odor load; air stays fresher longer.
Kitchen + soft surfaces
Grease and cooking volatiles cling to fabrics. A couple of targeted sprays help break down the food-based residues that carry odor, so you reset the baseline instead of layering lemon on top of garlic.
Smoke and terpene-heavy odors
Sticky residues and VOCs make these stubborn. Enzymatic sprays complement ventilation and cleaning by reducing the “fuel” those smells ride on—so freshness lasts.
Why We Keep Fragrance Low
Fragrance can be delightful—until it’s not. Sensitive noses (and certain pets) do better when you solve the problem at its source. That’s why our internal bar is “smell clean, not perfumed.” We use just enough clean scent carrier for a pleasant finish and focus the heavy lifting on neutralization.
How Modest Fits Into a Healthy-Air Routine
- Ventilate when you can: open a window, run exhaust fans, keep filters clean.
- Target the source: spot-treat fabrics and soft surfaces with an enzymatic spray.
- Set the background: use a long-burn candle for ongoing freshness that doesn’t overpower.
Explore the collection: Odor Killa Sprays and Odor-Eliminating Candles.
FAQs
Are Modest sprays safe around pets?
Our formulas are non-toxic and designed for everyday homes with animals. As with any household product, follow label directions and spot-test fabrics first.
Will I still smell a fragrance?
A soft, clean finish—yes. A heavy perfume cloud—no. We design for freshness that feels breathable.
Do I need to reapply?
Enzymatic neutralization reduces rebounds, so most users spray less often than with masking products. Reapply as needed after heavy use or new odor events.